Communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus includes a plurality of antenna parts configured to receive or transmit a wireless signal, a communication control part configured to control transmitting or receiving the wireless signal via at least any of the plurality of antenna parts, and a casing housing the communication control part, in which each of the plurality of antenna parts is held near each of a plurality of partial regions normal directions of which cross each other or the normal directions of which are mutually twisted in outer faces of the casing, and transmit or receive a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal propagating in directions substantially orthogonal to the partial regions and having mutually different polarization directions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on PCT filing PCT/JP2017/045522, filedDec. 19, 2017, and claims priority to JP 2017-049422, filed Mar. 15,2017, the entire contents of each are being incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a communication apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

A wireless signal a frequency of around 700 MHz to 3.5 GHz calledultrahigh frequency is mainly used for communication in a mobilecommunication system based on a communication standard calledLTE/LTE-Advanced (A).

Further, a technology called multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO)is employed in communication using an ultrahigh frequency as in theabove communication standard so that the communication performance canbe further enhanced by use of direct wave and reflected wave forexchanging signals also in the fading environment. A plurality ofantennas is used in MIMO, and thus various methods for arranging aplurality of antennas in a more suitable form are discussed for mobilecommunication terminal apparatuses such as Smartphone. For example,Patent Document 1 discloses an exemplary method for arranging aplurality of antennas for a mobile communication terminal apparatus in amore suitable form assuming the use of MIMO.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.    2013-70365

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Incidentally, there have been discussed various fifth-generation (5G)mobile communication systems subsequent to LTE/LTE-A in recent years.For example, the use of communication using a wireless signal with afrequency of 28 GHz or 39 GHz called millimeter wave (simply called“millimeter wave” below) is discussed in the mobile communicationsystems.

A millimeter wave can further increase the amount of information to betransmitted than an ultrahigh frequency, and tends to be high instraightness and to increase in propagation loss or reflection loss.Thus, it has been known that a direct wave mainly contributes to thecommunication property and a reflected wave is the least influential inwireless communication using millimeter waves. The introduction of atechnology called polarization MIMO is discussed from the aboveproperty, which realizes MIMO by use of a plurality of polarized waves(such as horizontal polarized wave and vertical polarized wave) withmutually different polarization directions in the 5G mobilecommunication systems. The use of polarization MIMO is desired from thebackground also in a mobile communication apparatus like a mobilecommunication terminal apparatus.

Thus, the present disclosure proposes an exemplary technology capable ofrealizing polarization MEMO in a more suitable form in a mobilecommunication apparatus.

Solutions to Problems

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a communicationapparatus including a plurality of antenna parts configured to receiveor transmit a wireless signal, a communication control part configuredto control transmitting or receiving the wireless signal via at leastany of the plurality of antenna parts, and a casing housing thecommunication control part, in which each of the plurality of antennaparts is held near each of a plurality of partial regions normaldirections of which cross each other or the normal directions of whichare mutually twisted in outer faces of the casing, and transmit orreceive a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal propagatingin directions substantially orthogonal to the partial regions and havingmutually different polarization directions.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present disclosure described above, there is provided atechnology capable of realizing polarization MIMO in a more suitableform in a portable apparatus.

Additionally, the above effect is not necessarily restrictive, and anyeffect described in the present specification or other effect graspablefrom the present specification may be obtained together with the aboveeffect or instead of the above effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplary schematicconfiguration of a system according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aterminal apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to a comparativeexample.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a patchantenna.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary communication propertysimulation results in a case where a dipole antenna is used as anantenna apparatus.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary communication property simulation resultsin a case where a patch antenna is used as an antenna apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to a first variant.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to a second variant.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of ashort-circuit patch antenna.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a third variant.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a fourth variant.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of theantenna apparatus according to the fourth variant,

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a notchantenna.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a fifth variant.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of amonopole antenna.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a sixth variant.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of aninverted F-antenna.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a seventh variant,

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a loopantenna.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to an eighth variant.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a slotantenna.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus according to a ninth variant.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a first example.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the first example.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a second example.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the second example.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a third example.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining of an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the third example.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a fourth example.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the fourth example.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the fourth example.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a fifth example.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of thecommunication apparatus according to the fifth example.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to a sixth example.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to a seventh example.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application of thecommunication apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application of thecommunication apparatus according to the embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, thecomponents having substantially the same functional configurations aredenoted with the same reference numerals, respectively, in the presentspecification and the drawings, and a repeated description thereof willbe omitted.

Additionally, the description will be made in the following order.

1. Schematic configuration

1.1. Exemplary system configuration

1.2. Exemplary configuration of terminal apparatus

2. Examination of communication using millimeter waves

3. Technical characteristics

3.1. Comparative example

3.2. Exemplary configuration

3.3. Variants

3.4. Examples

3.5. Applications

4. Conclusion

<<1. Schematic Configuration>>

<1.1. Exemplary System Configuration>

An exemplary schematic configuration of a system 1 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure will be first described withreference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining anexemplary schematic configuration of the system 1 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thesystem 1 includes wireless communication apparatuses 100 and terminalapparatuses 200. A terminal apparatus 200 is also called user herein.The user can be also called UE. A wireless communication apparatus 100Cis also called UE-Relay. Here, UE, may be defined in LTE or LTE-A, orProse LTE to Network Relay discussed in 3GPP, or may more generally meana communication device.

(1) Wireless communication apparatuses 100

The wireless communication apparatuses 100 are directed to providing awireless communication service to their controlling apparatuses. Forexample, a wireless communication apparatus 100A is a base station of acellular system (or mobile communication system). The base station 100Amakes wireless communication with apparatuses (such as a terminalapparatus 200A) positioned inside a cell 10A of the base station 100A.For example, the base station 100A transmits a downlink signal to theterminal apparatus 200A, and receives an uplink signal from the terminalapparatus 200A.

The base station 100A is logically connected to other base station viaan X2 interface, for example, and can exchange control information andthe like therewith. Further, the base station 100A is logicallyconnected to a so-called core network (not illustrated) via an S1interface, for example, and can exchange control information and thelike therewith. Additionally, the communication between the apparatusescan be physically relayed via various apparatuses.

Here, the wireless communication apparatus 100A illustrated in FIG. 1 isa macrocell base station and the cell 10A is a macrocell. On the otherhand, the wireless communication apparatuses 100B and 100C are masterdevices which operate small cells 10B and 10C, respectively. By way ofexample, the master device 100E is a fixedly-installed small cell basestation. The small cell base station 100B establishes a wirelessbackhaul link with the macrocell base station 100A, and an access linkwith one or more terminal apparatuses (such as the terminal apparatus200B) in the small cell 10B. Additionally, the wireless communicationapparatus 100B may be a relay node defined in 3GPP. The master device1000 is a dynamic access point (AP). The dynamic AP 100C is a mobiledevice which dynamically operates the small cell 10C. The dynamic AP1000 establishes a wireless backhaul link with the macrocell basestation 100A, and an access link with one or more terminal apparatuses(such as the terminal apparatus 200C) in the small cell 10C. The dynamicAP 100C may be a terminal apparatus mounting thereon hardware orsoftware operable as a base station or a wireless access point, forexample. In this case, the small cell 10C is a dynamically-formedlocalized network/virtual cell.

The cell 10A may be operated according to any wireless communicationsystem such as LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-ADVANCED PRO, GSM(registered trademark), UMTS, W-CDMA, CDMA200, WiMAX, WiMAX2, orIEEE802.16.

Additionally, the concept of a small cell can include various types ofcells (such as fermtocell, nanocell, picocell, and microcell) smallerthan a macrocell arranged to be overlapped or not to be overlapped withthe macrocell in some examples, a small cell is operated by a dedicatedbase station. In other examples, a small cell is operated when aterminal as master device temporarily operates as a small cell basestation. A relay node can be also regarded as one form of the small cellbase station. A wireless communication apparatus functioning as a masterstation of the relay node is also called donor base station. The donorbase station may mean DeNB in LTE or may more generally mean a masterstation of a relay node.

(2) Terminal Apparatuses 200

The terminal apparatuses 200 can make communication in a cellular system(or mobile communication system). The terminal apparatuses 200 makewireless communication with wireless communication apparatuses (such asthe base station 100A and the mater device 100B or 100C) in the cellularsystem. For example, the terminal apparatus 200A receives a downlinksignal from the base station 100A, and transmits an uplink signal to thebase station 100A.

Further, not only so-called UE but also so-called low cost UE such asMTC terminal, enhanced MTC (eMTC), and NB-IoT terminal may be operatedfor the terminal apparatuses 200.

(3) Supplement

A schematic configuration of the system 1 has been described above, butthe present technology is not limited to the example illustrated inFIG. 1. For example, a configuration of the system 1 can employ aconfiguration not including master device, small cell enhancement (SCE),heterogeneous network (HetNet), a MTC network, and the like. Further, asother exemplary configuration of the system 1, a master device isconnected to a small cell, and a cell may be constructed under the smallcell.

An exemplary schematic configuration of the system 1 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure has been described above withreference to FIG. 1.

<1.2. Exemplary Configuration of Terminal Apparatus>

An exemplary configuration of the terminal apparatus 200 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of the terminal apparatus 200 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminalapparatus 200 includes an antenna part 2001, a wireless communicationpart 2003, a storage part 2007, and a communication control part 2005.

(1) Antenna Part 2001

The antenna part 2001 radiates a signal output from the wirelesscommunication part 2003 as a radiowave to the space. Further, theantenna part 2001 converts the radiowave in the space into a signal, andoutputs the signal to the wireless communication part 220.

(2) Wireless Communication Part 2003

The wireless communication part 2003 exchanges signals. For example, thewireless communication part 2003 receives a downlink signal from a basestation, and transmits an uplink signal to the base station.

(3) Storage Part 2007

The storage part 2007 temporarily or permanently stores programs andvarious items of data for operating the terminal apparatus 200.

(4) Communication Control Part 2005

The communication control part 2005 controls the operations of thewireless communication part 2003 thereby to control communication withother apparatus (such as the base station 100). As a specific example,the communication control part 2005 may modulate data to be transmittedon the basis of a predetermined modulation system thereby to generate atransmission signal, and may cause the wireless communication part 2003to transmit the transmission signal to the base station 100. Further, asother example, the communication control part 2005 may acquire a signalreception result (or reception signal) from the base station 100 by thewireless communication part 2003, and may perform a predetermineddemodulation processing on the reception signal thereby to demodulatethe data transmitted from the base station 100.

An exemplary configuration of the terminal apparatus 200 according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above withreference to FIG. 2.

<<2.2 Examination of Communication Using Millimeter Waves>>

A wireless signal with a frequency of around 700 MHz to 3.5 GHz calledultrahigh frequency is used for communication in the communicationsystem based on a standard such as LTE/LTE-A. To the contrary, the useof communication using a wireless signal with a frequency of 28 GHz or39 GHz called millimeter wave (simply called “millimeter wave” below) isexamined in the fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systemsubsequent to LTE/LTE-A. Thus, an outline of communication usingmillimeter waves will be described, and then technical problems of thecommunication apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described.

A technology called multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) isemployed in communication using an ultrahigh frequency such as LTE/LTE-Aso that the communication performance can be further enhanced by use ofdirect wave and reflected wave for exchanging signals also in the fadingenvironment.

To the contrary, a millimeter wave can further increase the amount ofinformation to be transmitted than an ultrahigh frequency, and tends tobe high in straightness and to increase in propagation loss orreflection loss. Thus, a reflected wave is the least influential and adirect wave mainly contributes to the communication property in anenvironment (so-called line of site (LOS)) in which an obstacle is notpresent on a path directly connecting the antennas via which wirelesssignals are exchanged. Due to the property, a communication terminalsuch as Smartphone receives a wireless signal (or millimeter wave)directly transmitted from a base station (or receives a direct wave)thereby to further enhance the communication performance incommunication using millimeter waves.

Further, as described above, a direct wave mainly contributes to thecommunication property and a reflected wave is the least influential incommunication using millimeter waves. Due to the property, theintroduction of a technology called polarization MIMO is examined, whichrealizes MIMO by use of a plurality of polarized waves (such ashorizontal polarized wave and vertical polarized wave) mutuallydifferent polarization directions in wireless signals transmitted asdirect waves in communication using millimeter waves between acommunication terminal and a base station. Additionally, a “polarizationdirection” corresponds to a direction in which a wireless signal (orpolarized wave) oscillates in the present disclosure. That is, aso-called “polarization plane” is defined by a direction in which awireless signal propagates and a polarization direction of the wirelesssignal. Further, a polarized wave the polarization plane of which isvertical to the ground corresponds to “vertical polarized wave” and apolarized wave the polarization plane of which is horizontal to theground corresponds to “horizontal polarized wave”.

However, a portable terminal apparatus such as mobile communicationterminal including Smartphone changes in its position or orientationover time along with movement of a user holding the terminal apparatus,a change in form of holding the terminal apparatus, or the like. Undersuch a situation, a relative positional relationship between a terminalapparatus and a base station changes over time, and thus a direction inwhich a direct wave arrives at the terminal apparatus from a basestation also changes. This is similarly applicable when a communicationapparatus itself is mobile.

Further, as described above, a millimeter wave is higher in reflectionloss than an ultrahigh frequency, and is more easily reflected by ahuman body. Thus, for example, if a communication path directlyconnecting an antenna device provided in a terminal apparatus and a basestation is blocked by a site such as hand holding the casing of theterminal apparatus, a millimeter wave propagating in the communicationpath is blocked by the site such as hand. That is, a position in theterminal apparatus capable of exchanging millimeter waves viacommunication with a base station (or a position not blocked by a handor the like) also changes depending on a position of the terminalapparatus held by a site such as hand.

In terms of the above situation, the present disclosure proposes acommunication apparatus capable of realizing polarization MIMO using adirect wave in a more suitable form in communication with otherapparatus via a wireless communication path also in a situation in whicha position or orientation changes over time.

<3. Technical Characteristics>>

Technical characteristics of a communication apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.

<3.1. Comparative Example>

An exemplary configuration of a communication apparatus according to acomparative example will be first described with reference to FIG. 3 inorder to easily understand the characteristics of a communicationapparatus (such as the terminal apparatus 200) according to the presentembodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of the communication apparatus according to thecomparative example. Additionally, the communication apparatus accordingto the comparative example may be denoted as “communication apparatus290” in the following description in order to discriminate from thecommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The communication apparatus 290 according to the comparative exampleincludes a plate-shaped casing 209 which has a top side and a backsideand forms a substantially-rectangular shape. Additionally, a side onwhich a display part such as display is provided is called top side inthe present description. That is, a reference numeral 201 in FIG. 3indicates the backside in the outer faces of the casing 209. Further,reference numerals 203 and 205 correspond to end faces positioned aroundthe backside 201 in the outer faces of the casing 209, and morespecifically indicate end faces extending in the longitudinal directionof the backside 201. Further, reference numerals 202 and 204 correspondto end faces positioned around the backside 201 in the outer faces ofthe casing 209, and more specifically indicate end faces extending inthe short direction of the backside 201. Additionally, though notillustrated in FIG. 3, a top side positioned opposite to the backside201 is also called “top side 206” for convenience.

Further, reference numerals 2900 a to 2900 f in FIG. 3 indicate anantenna apparatus for exchanging wireless signals (such as millimeterwaves) with a base station. Additionally, in a case where the antennaapparatuses 2900 a to 2900 f are not particularly discriminated in thefollowing description, they may be simply called “antenna apparatuses2900”. Further, a reference numeral 2901 indicates an individual antennadevice (such as antenna element). Additionally, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 3, the antenna device 2901 is configured as aso-called dipole antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication apparatus 290 is configuredsuch that the antenna apparatuses 2900 are held (installed) inside thecasing 209 to be positioned near each of the end faces 202 to 205provided along the outer periphery of the backside 201 (in other words,the top side 206).

For example, the antenna apparatus 2900 a is provided inside the casing209 to be positioned near both the end faces 202 and 203. Further, theantenna apparatus 2900 a has a plurality of antenna devices 2901configured as dipole antennas. Specifically, some antenna devices 2901among the plurality of antenna devices 2901 of the antenna apparatus2900 a are provided to extend in the longitudinal direction of the endface 203, and the other antenna devices 2901 are provided to extend inthe longitudinal direction of the end face 205.

Further, the antenna apparatuses 2900 c, 2900 d, and 2900 f are held onthe basis of the similar spirit to the antenna apparatus 2900 a. Thatis, the antenna apparatus 2900 c is provided inside the casing 209 to bepositioned near both the end faces 203 and 204. Further, the antennaapparatus 2900 d is provided inside the casing 209 to be positioned nearboth the end faces 204 and 205. Further, the antenna apparatus 2900 f isprovided inside the casing 209 to be positioned near both the end faces205 and 202.

Further, the antenna apparatus 2900 b is provided inside the casing 209to be positioned near the end face 203. Further, the antenna apparatus2900 b has one or more antenna devices 2901 configured as dipoleantennas. Specifically, the plurality of antenna devices 2901 of theantenna apparatus 2900 b is provided to extend in the longitudinaldirection of the end face 203.

Further, the antenna apparatus 2900 e is provided on the basis of thesimilar spirit to the antenna apparatus 2900 b. That is, the antennaapparatus 2900 e is provided inside the casing 209 to be positioned nearthe end face 205.

A polarization direction of a polarized wave transmittable or receivableby an antenna apparatus will be described herein. Generally, an antennaapparatus is different in polarization direction of a transmittable orreceivable polarized wave depending on the orientation of a currentflowing in an element such as a radiation device or waveguide device ofthe antenna apparatus. For example, in the case of a dipole antenna, apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith a direction in which a rod-shaped element extends can betransmitted or received (that is, preferable communication property isindicated). That is, only one polarized wave can be transmitted orreceived by the dipole antenna.

Thus, the polarization directions of polarized waves capable of beingtransmitted or received by each of the antenna apparatuses 2900 a to2900 f are determined depending on directions in which the elements ofthe antenna devices 2901 of the antenna apparatuses 2900 extend. Forexample, the antenna apparatus 2900 a includes an antenna device 2901 inwhich the element extends in the longitudinal direction of the end face202, and an antenna device 2901 extending in the longitudinal directionof the end face 203. Thus, the antenna apparatus 2900 a can transmit orreceive two polarized waves including a polarized wave the polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with the longitudinal direction(or the direction R_(H) in the figure) of the end face 202, and apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the longitudinal direction (or the direction R_(V) in the figure)of the end face 203. Further, the antenna apparatus 2900 b includes anantenna device 2901 extending in the longitudinal direction of the endface 203. Thus, the antenna apparatus 2900 b can transmit or receive apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the longitudinal direction (or the direction R_(V)) of the end face203. Additionally, in the following description, a polarized wave thepolarization direction of which substantially matches with the directionR_(H) in the figure will be simply called “polarized wave R_(H)” and apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the direction R_(V) in the figure will be simply called “polarizedwave R_(V)”. Further, one of the polarized waves R_(H) and R_(V) withmutually different polarization directions may correspond to horizontalpolarized wave, and the other may correspond to vertical polarized wave.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatuses 2900 a to 2900 fare arranged at the respective positions, and thus the communicationapparatus 290 can transmit or receive wireless signals propagating ineach direction with reference to the communication apparatus 290 by anyantenna apparatus 2900. Further, two polarized waves R_(H) and R_(V) canbe transmitted or received in wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the normal direction of thebackside 201. This is similarly applicable to the top side 206. Further,each of the antenna apparatuses 2900 a to 2900 f is such that an antennapattern is arranged on a substrate and an integrated circuit (IC) isarranged near the antenna pattern, thereby reducing the substrate wiringand achieving a high degree of freedom of design.

However, in terms of each of the end faces 202 to 205, transmittable orreceivable polarized waves in wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the normal direction of each endface are limited to only the polarized waves the polarization directionsof which substantially match with the longitudinal direction of each endface in the communication apparatus 290. As a specific example, only thepolarized wave R_(H) can be transmitted or received in wireless signalspropagating in a direction substantially matching with the normaldirection of the end face 202, and a polarized wave e polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with the short direction (orthe thickness direction of the casing 209) of the end face 202 isdifficult to transmit or receive. Further, only the polarized wave R_(V)can be transmitted or received in wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the normal direction of the endface 205, and a polarized wave the polarization direction of whichsubstantially matches with the short direction (or the thicknessdirection of the casing 209) of the end face 205 is difficult totransmit or receive.

That is, in a case where polarization MIMO is introduced intocommunication using millimeter waves, the communication apparatus 290according to the comparative example deteriorates in the communicationproperty (such as antenna gain) in transmitting or receiving wirelesssignals propagating in a direction substantially matching with thenormal direction of each of the end faces 202 to 205.

An exemplary configuration of the communication apparatus according tothe comparative example has been described above with reference to FIG.3,

<3.2. Exemplary Configuration>

An exemplary configuration of a communication apparatus according to thepresent embodiment will be subsequently described assuming that a patchantenna (plane antenna) is applied.

An outline of a patch antenna will be first described with reference toFIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of apatch antenna. As described above, a dipole antenna has a rod-shapedelement, and thus a current flows only in one direction, and only onepolarized wave can be transmitted or received. To the contrary, a patchantenna is provided with a plurality of power supply points, and thuscan flow a current in a plurality of directions. For example, a patchantenna 2111 illustrated in FIG. 4 is provided with a plurality of powersupply points 2115 and 2117 for a planar element 2113, and is configuredto be able to transmit or receive each of the polarized waves R_(H) andR_(V) with mutually different (mutually orthogonal) polarizationdirections.

An exemplary configuration of a communication apparatus according to thepresent embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to the presentembodiment. Additionally, the communication apparatus according to thepresent embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 may be denoted as“communication apparatus 211” in the following description in order todiscriminate from the communication apparatus according to thecomparative example or the communication apparatuses according to therespective variants described below. Additionally, the description willbe made assuming that the communication apparatus 211 has the similarcasing 209 to that of the communication apparatus 290 according to thecomparative example. That is, the backside 201 and the end faces 202 to205 illustrated in FIG. 5 indicate the backside 201 and the end faces202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, similarly to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 3. This is similarly applicable to the top side 206(not illustrated).

Reference numerals 2111 a to 2111 f each indicate an antenna apparatusfor exchanging wireless signals (such as millimeter waves) with a basestation. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the antennaapparatuses 2111 a to 2111 f is configured as the patch antenna 2111described with reference to FIG. 4. Additionally, each of the antennaapparatuses 2111 a to 2111 f corresponds to exemplary “antenna parts”.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the communication apparatus 211, the patchantennas 2111 are held (installed) inside the casing 209 to bepositioned near at least some of the backside 201 and each of the endfaces 202 to 205. At this time, the patch antenna 2111 held to bepositioned near a face is held such that the normal direction of theplanar element 2113 substantially matches with the normal direction ofthe face.

For example, the antenna apparatuses 2111 a and 2111 b (the patchantennas 2111) are held inside the casing 209 such that they arepositioned near the backside 201 and the normal directions thereofsubstantially match with the normal direction of the backside 201. Withthe configuration, the antenna apparatuses 2111 a and 2111 b cantransmit or receive the two polarized waves R_(H) and R_(V) withmutually different (mutually orthogonal) polarization directions inwireless signals propagating in a direction substantially matching withthe normal direction of the backside 201. Additionally, the respectivepolarization directions of the polarized waves R_(H) and R_(V) areorthogonal to the direction in which the wireless signals propagate.Further, though not illustrated in FIG. 5, the patch antennas 2111 maybe installed also on the top side 206 similarly to the backside 201.

Further, the antenna apparatus 2111 c (patch antenna 2111) is heldinside the casing 209 such that it is positioned near the end face 202and the normal direction thereof substantially matches with the normaldirection of the end face 202. That is, the antenna apparatus 2111 c cantransmit or receive the two polarized waves R_(H) and R_(V) withmutually different (mutually orthogonal) polarization directions inwireless signals propagating in a direction substantially matching withthe normal direction of the end face 202. Further, each of the antennaapparatuses 2111 d to 2111 f is held on the basis of the similar spiritto the antenna apparatus c. That is, the antenna apparatus 2111 d isheld inside the casing 209 such that it is positioned near the end face203 and its normal direction substantially matches with the normaldirection of the end face 203. Further, the antenna apparatus 2111 e isheld inside the casing 209 such that it is positioned near the end face204 and its normal direction substantially matches with the normaldirection of the end face 204. Further, the antenna apparatus 2111 f isheld inside the casing 209 such that it is positioned near the end face205 and its normal direction substantially matches with the normaldirection of the end face 205.

In this way, the communication apparatus 211 according to the presentembodiment is such that an antenna apparatus is held near each partialregion mutually different direction or each of a plurality of partialregions with mutually different normal directions on the outer faces ofthe casing 209. Particularly the communication apparatus 211 accordingto the present embodiment is such that an antenna apparatus (such aspatch antenna 2111) is held near each of a plurality of partial regionsthe normal directions of which cross each other or the normal directionsof which are mutually twisted in the outer faces of the casing 209 likethe backside 201 (or the top side 206) and each of the end faces 202 to205. Further, the antenna apparatus is configured to be able to transmitor receive a plurality of polarized waves (such as two polarized wavesR_(H) and R_(V)) propagating in directions substantially matching withthe normal directions of the partial regions positioned nearby (or indirections substantially orthogonal to the partial regions) and havingmutually different polarization directions. Additionally, one polarizedwave of the plurality of polarized waves (such as polarized waves R_(H)and R_(V)) transmitted or received by the antenna apparatus correspondsto “first wireless signal” and the other polarized wave corresponds to“second wireless signal”.

With the above configuration, the communication apparatus 211 accordingto the present embodiment can transmit or receive the two polarizedwaves R_(H) and R_(V) with mutually different polarization directions inwireless signals propagating in a direction substantially matching withthe normal directions of any face of six faces of the backside 201, thetop side 206, and the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209.

Exemplary communication properties will be described herein withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 assuming that a dipole antenna and apatch antenna are used as antenna apparatuses. For example, FIG. 6 is adiagram illustrating exemplary communication property simulation resultsin a case where a dipole antenna is used as an antenna apparatus.Further, FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary communication property simulationresults in a case where a patch antenna is used as an antenna apparatus.The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 indicates antenna gain.Further, the vertical axis indicates coverage, or a ratio of a regionwith antenna gain of a value indicated on the horizontal axis or morerelative to the 360-degree spherical plane with reference to eachapparatus. Additionally, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate simulation resultsfor V polarization with a polarization direction of Phi direction. Hpolarization with a polarization direction of Theta direction, and totalpolarization. Further, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 indicate exemplary simulationresults in a case where the target antenna gain is assumed at 1.8 dB.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in a case where a dipole antenna is used, 70%of the coverage is totally secured at an antenna gain of 1.8 dB.However, the coverage per polarization is as low as 58% for Vpolarization (Phi direction), and is so low at 0.004% for H polarization(Theta direction)

To the contrary, in a case where a patch antenna is used, 100% of thecoverage can be totally secured at an antenna gain of 1.8 dB asillustrated in FIG. 7. Further, the coverage per polarization is alsosecured at 96% for both V polarization (Phi direction) and Hpolarization (Theta direction). It can be seen from the above fact thata preferable communication property is demonstrated for both Vpolarization (Phi direction) and H polarization (Theta direction) inalmost all the directions in a case where a patch antenna is used.

An exemplary configuration of the communication apparatus according tothe present embodiment has been described above with reference to FIG. 4to FIG. 7 in a case where a patch antenna (planar antenna) is applied.Additionally, the simulation results described with reference to FIG. 6and FIG. 7 are merely exemplary, and the target antenna gain may bedifferent per antenna to be used.

<3.3. Variants>

Variants of the communication apparatus according to the presentembodiment will be subsequently described.

(First Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Beam Forming isPerformed)

An exemplary configuration of a communication apparatus according to afirst variant will be first described in a case where a technologycalled beam forming is used.

An outline of beam forming will be first described. Beam forming is atechnology for enhancing directivity of an antenna apparatus (ornarrowing a bear thereby to enable an antenna gain to be enhanced whentransmitting or receiving a wireless signal propagating in a directionby the directivity. Specifically, in beam forming, the phases or powerof wireless signals transmitted or received by each of a plurality ofantennas (such as antenna elements) aye controlled thereby to optimize aradiowave sensitivity at a specific point. The control can furtherenhance the antenna gain in a case where a wireless signal istransmitted or received in a direction with the directivity of anantenna apparatus.

A configuration of a communication apparatus according to the firstvariant will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is anexplanatory diagram for explaining an exemplary configuration of thecommunication apparatus according to the first variant. Additionally,the communication apparatus according to the first variant may bedenoted as “communication apparatus 213” in the following description inorder to discriminate from the communication apparatus according to theabove embodiment or the communication apparatuses according to the othervariants. Additionally, the present description will be made assumingthat the communication apparatus 213 has the similar casing 209 to thecommunication apparatus 211 according to the above embodiment. That is,it is assumed that the backside 201 and each of the end faces 202 to 205illustrated in FIG. 8 indicate the backside 201 and each of the endfaces 202 to 205 of the casing 209, similarly as in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 5. This is similarly applicable to the top side 206(not illustrated).

Reference numerals 2130 a to 2130 f in FIG. 8 each indicate an antennaapparatus for exchanging wireless signals (such as millimeter waves)with a base station. Additionally, in a case where the antennaapparatuses 2130 a to 2130 f are not particularly discriminated fromeach other, they may be simply denoted as “antenna apparatuses 2130” inthe following description.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the communication apparatus 213 accordingto the first variant, the antenna apparatuses 2130 are held (installed)inside the casing 209 to be positioned near at least some of thebackside 201 and each of the end faces 202 to 205 similarly to thecommunication apparatus 211 described with reference to FIG. 5.

Further, an antenna apparatus 2130 includes a plurality of antennadevices 2131. For example, the antenna apparatus 2131 a is held to bepositioned near the end close to the end face 204 on the backside 201,where a plurality of antenna devices 2131 is provided to be arranged ina direction in which the end extends (or in the longitudinal directionof the end face 204). Further, the antenna apparatus 2131 d is held tobe positioned near part of the end face 205, where a plurality ofantenna devices 2131 is provided to be arranged in the longitudinaldiction of the end face 205.

Further, each antenna device 2131 has the similar configuration to thepatch antenna 2111 described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Thatis, in an antenna apparatus 2130 held to be positioned near a face, eachantenna device 2131 is held such that the normal direction of the planarelement (such as the element 2113 illustrated in FIG. 3) substantiallymatches with the normal direction of the face. As a more specificexample, in terms of the antenna apparatus 2130 a, the antenna devices2131 provided in the antenna apparatus 2130 a are held such that thenormal directions of the planar elements substantially match with thenormal direction of the backside 201. This is similarly applicable tothe other antenna apparatuses 2130 b to 2130 f.

With the above configuration, each antenna apparatus 2130 controls thephases or power of wireless signals transmitted or received by each ofthe plurality antenna devices 2131, thereby to control the directivityof the wireless signals (or to perform beam forming).

An exemplary configuration of the communication apparatus according tothe first variant has been described above with reference to FIG. 8 in acase where a technology called beam forming is used. Additionally, theabove configuration of the antenna apparatuses 2130 is merely exemplary,and does not necessarily limit the configuration of the antennaapparatuses 2130. For example, if each of the plurality of antennadevices 2131 can transmit or receive wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching e normal direction of a face which theantenna apparatus 2130 is held near, the position where each of theplurality of antenna devices 2131 is arranged is not particularlylimited. That is, the plurality of antenna devices 2131 may not bearranged only in one direction, not as illustrated in FIG. 8. Forexample, the plurality of antenna devices 2131 may be arranged in amatrix shape. This is similarly applicable also when a plurality ofantenna devices is arranged in the other variants described below.

(Second Variant: Exemplary Configuration of Antenna Apparatus)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus applied to thecommunication apparatus according to the preset embodiment will besubsequently described according to a second variant.

In the communication apparatus 213 described with reference to FIG. 8,the antenna apparatuses 2130 provided on each face can be provided neareach other in terms of the backside 201 and each of the end faces 204and 205 which are mutually continuous on the outer faces of the casing209. Specifically, the antenna apparatus 2130 a and the antennaapparatus 2130 f are adjusted in their respective holding positions tobe positioned near the boundary between the backside 201 and the endface 204, thereby being provided near each other. Similarly, the antennaapparatus 2130 b and the antenna apparatus 2130 d are adjusted in theirrespective holding positions to be positioned near the boundary betweenthe backside 201 and the end face 205, thereby being provided near eachother.

In terms of such a situation, the second variant will be described in acase where the antenna apparatuses capable of being installed near eachother among the antenna apparatuses 2130 described according to thefirst variant are integrally configured. For example, FIG. 9 is anexplanatory diagram for explaining an exemplary configuration of theantenna apparatuses according to the second variant and is a schematicperspective view of the antenna apparatuses.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an antenna apparatus 2140 according to thesecond variant is configured such that two mutually different antennaapparatuses 2130 are coupled by a coupling part 2141. Additionally, theexample illustrated in FIG. 9 illustrates that the antenna apparatuses2130 a and 2130 f described with reference to FIG. 8 are coupled to beintegrally configured by way of example in order to easily understandthe characteristics of the antenna apparatus 2140.

Specifically, the antenna apparatus 2130 a and the antenna apparatus2130 f are arranged such that the respective ends extending in thedirections in which the plurality of antenna devices 2131 is arrangedare positioned near each other. At this time, the antenna devices 2131of the antenna apparatus 2130 a and the antenna devices 2131 of theantenna apparatus 2130 f are arranged such that the normal directions ofthe planar elements cross each other (or are orthogonal to each other)or the normal directions are mutually twisted. Further, the couplingpart 2141 is provided to cross the ends positioned near each otherbetween the antenna apparatus 2130 a and the antenna apparatus 2130 f,and the antenna apparatus 2130 a and the antenna apparatus 2130 f arecoupled by the coupling part 2141.

It is better that the thus-configured antenna apparatus 2140 is heldalong a plurality of mutually-coupled faces (outer faces) on the outerfaces of the casing 209 like the backside 201 and the end face 204illustrated in FIG. 8, for example. With the configuration, each of aplurality of polarized waves with mutually different polarizationdirections, which arrives at each of the plurality of mutually-coupledfaces in the directions substantially orthogonal to the faces, can betransmitted or received in a more suitable form.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus applied to thecommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment has beendescribed above according to the second variant with reference to FIG.9.

(Third Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Short-CircuitPatch Antenna is Applied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to a thirdvariant will be subsequently described in a case where a short-circuitpatch antenna is applied as an antenna device.

An outline of a short-circuit patch antenna will be first described withreference to FIG. 10, 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining anoutline of a short-circuit patch antenna. In FIG. 10, the two diagramson the left side illustrate an exemplary schematic configuration of apatch antenna, and the two diagrams on the right side illustrate anexemplary schematic configuration of a short-circuit patch antenna.

Specifically, the lower left diagram illustrates an exemplary schematicconfiguration of a patch antenna 2111′ viewed in the normal direction ofthe planar element 2113. Additionally, the example illustrated in FIG.10 illustrates that one power supply point is provided for the patchantenna 2111′ illustrated in FIG. 10 (or only a power supply point 2115is provided) in order to easily understand the characteristics of theshort-circuit patch antenna. Further, the upper left diagram illustratesan exemplary schematic configuration of the lower left patch antenna2111′ viewed from an end, where the vertical direction corresponds tothe thickness direction of the lower left patch antenna 2111′ (or thenormal direction of the element 2113). That is, part of the planarelement 2113 downward extends, and the power supply point is providedbetween the extending part and the ground (GND).

Further, the lower right diagram illustrates an exemplary schematicconfiguration of a short-circuit patch antenna 2151 viewed in the normaldirection of a planar element 2153. As illustrated, the short-circuitpatch antenna 2151 is provided with a power supply point 2155 at part ofthe element 2153. Further, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 isprovide with a short-circuit part 2157 short-circuited (or electricallyconnected to the GND) at a different position from the position wherethe power supply point 2155 is provided on the element 2153. Forexample, the upper right diagram illustrates an exemplary schematicconfiguration of the lower right short-circuit patch antenna 2151 viewedfrom an end, where the vertical direction corresponds to the thicknessdirection of the lower right short-circuit patch antenna 2151 (or thenormal direction of the element 2153).

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 has onepower supply point, and thus a plurality of polarized waves is difficultto transmit or receive unlike the patch antenna 2111 described withreference to FIG. 4. However, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 canreduce the rate of the region occupied by the planar element 2153 ascompared with the patch antenna 2111 as illustrated in FIG. 10, therebyachieving further downsizing.

According to the above description, an exemplary configuration of anantenna apparatus in which the short-circuit patch antenna 2151described with reference to FIG. 10 is applied as an antenna device willbe described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagramillustrating an exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatusaccording to the third variant. Additionally, FIG. 11 illustrates anexemplary schematic configuration of an antenna apparatus 2150 viewed inthe normal direction of a face in a case where the antenna apparatus2150 according to the third variant is positioned near the face (such aspart of the outer faces of the casing 209). That is, the antennaapparatus 2150 illustrated in FIG. 11 mainly transmits or receiveswireless signals propagating in a direction substantially matching withthe depth direction of FIG. 11.

As described above, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 can transmit orreceive only one polarized wave. Thus, the antenna apparatus 2150illustrated in FIG. 11 is provided with a plurality of short-circuitpatch antennas 2151 (or short-circuit patch antennas 2151 a and 2151 b)to be able to transmit or receive polarized waves with mutuallydifferent polarization directions.

Specifically, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 a is arranged suchthat the direction of a current flowing in the planar elementsubstantially matches with the direction in which the plurality ofshort-circuit patch antennas 2151 is arranged (or the horizontaldirection of FIG. 11). That is, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 acan transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(H) the polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with the direction in which theplurality of short-circuit patch antennas 2151 is arranged in wirelesssignals transmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2150.

To the contrary, the short-circuit patch antenna 2151 b is arranged suchthat the direction of a current flowing in the planar elementsubstantially matches with a direction orthogonal to the direction inwhich the plurality of short-circuit patch antennas 2151 is arranged (orthe vertical direction of FIG. 11). That is, the short-circuit patchantenna 2151 b can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(V) thepolarization direction of which substantially matches with the directionorthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of short-circuitpatch antennas 2151 is arranged in wireless signals transmitted orreceived by the antenna apparatus 2150.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2150 according tothe third variant can transmit or receive a plurality of polarized waveswith mutually different polarization directions also in a case where theshort-circuit patch antennas 2151 capable of transmitting or receivingonly one polarized wave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more short-circuit patch antennas 2151 a and2151 b are each provided, the numbers of short-circuit patch antennas2151 a and 2151 b are not particularly limited. However, it is desirablethat a plurality of short-circuit patch antennas 2151 a and 2151 b iseach provided as in the communication apparatus 213 according to thefirst variant in a case where beam forming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus has been describedabove according to the third variant with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.11 in a case where short-circuit patch antennas are applied as antennadevices.

(Fourth Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Dipole Antennais Applied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to a fourthvariant will be subsequently described in a case where a dipole antennais applied as an antenna device.

As described above, a current flows in a rod-shaped element in onedirection, and thus a dipole antenna itself can transmit or receive onlyone polarized wave. On the other hand, on the basis of the similarspirit to the third variant, a plurality of antenna devices is arrangedin consideration of the direction of a polarized wave transmittable orreceivable by each antenna device, thereby transmitting or receivingpolarized waves with mutually different polarization directionssimilarly to the patch antenna.

For example, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are diagrams illustrating exemplaryconfigurations of an antenna apparatus according to the fourth variant.Additionally, FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2160 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2160 according to the fourth variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2160 illustrated inFIG. 12 mainly transmits or receives wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the antenna apparatus 2160 is provided with aplurality of dipole antennas 2161 (or dipole antennas 2161 a ad 2161 b)to be able to transmit or receive polarized waves with mutuallydifferent polarization directions.

The dipole antenna 2161 a is arranged such that the direction of acurrent flowing in the rod-shaped element substantially matches with adirection in which the plurality of dipole antennas 2161 are arranged(or the horizontal direction of FIG. 12). That is, the dipole antenna2161 a can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(H) the polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with the direction in which theplurality of dipole antennas 2161 is arranged in wireless signalstransmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2160.

To the contrary, the dipole antenna 2161 b is arranged such that thedirection of a current flowing in the rod-shaped element substantiallymatches with a direction orthogonal to the direction in which theplurality of dipole antennas 2161 is arranged (or the vertical directionof FIG. 12). That is, the dipole antenna 2161 a can transmit or receivethe polarized wave R_(V) the polarization direction of whichsubstantially matches with the direction orthogonal to the direction inwhich the plurality of dipole antennas 2161 is arranged in wirelesssignals transmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2160.

For example, FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary schematicinternal structure of a part where the antenna apparatus 2160 isarranged in the casing 209 of the communication apparatus (such as theterminal apparatus 200) according to the present embodiment, andschematically illustrates an exemplary method for arranging therespective antenna devices (or the dipole antennas 2161) included in theantenna apparatus 2160. Additionally, FIG. 13 illustrates that theantenna apparatus 2160 is arranged to be positioned near the end face202 of the casing 209 by way of example.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2160 according tothe fourth variant can transmit or receive a plurality of polarizedwaves with mutually different polarization directions also in a casewhere the dipole antennas 2161 capable of transmitting or receiving onlyone polarized wave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more dipole antennas 2161 a and 2161 b are eachprovided, the numbers of dipole antennas 2161 a and 2161 b are notparticularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality ofdipole antennas 2161 a and 2161 b is each provided as in thecommunication apparatus 213 according to the first variant in a casewhere beam forming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus has been describedabove according to the fourth variant with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG.13 in a case where dipole antennas are used as antenna devices.

(Fifth Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Notch Antenna isApplied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to a fifthvariant will be subsequently described in a case where a notch antennais applied as an antenna device.

An outline of a notch antenna will be first described with reference toFIG. 14. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline ofa notch antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a notch antenna 2171 is configured of a slit2173 formed on a ground plane 2179 including a conductive material, apower supply line 2175 provided to cross the slit 2173, and a powersupply point 2177 provided at one end of the power supply line 2175.With the configuration, a current flows along the power supply line 2175provided to cross the slit 2173 in response to power supplied from thepower supply point 2177 in the notch antenna 2171. That is, the notchantenna 2171 can transmit or receive a polarized wave the polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with a direction in which thepower supply line 2175 extends.

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus in which the notchantenna 2171 described with reference to FIG. 14 is applied as anantenna device will be described with reference to FIG. 15 according tothe above description. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to the fifth variant.Additionally, FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2170 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2170 according to the fifth variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2170 illustrated inFIG. 15 mainly transmits or receives wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 15.

As described above, the notch antenna 2171 can transmit or receive apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the direction in which the power supply line 2175 provided to crossthe slit 2173 formed on the ground plane 2179 including a conductivematerial extends. Thus, a plurality of slits extending in mutuallydifferent directions is provided on the ground plane 2179 so that theantenna apparatus 2170 illustrated in FIG. 15 is provided with aplurality of notch antennas 2171 (or notch antennas 2171 a and 2171 b).

Specifically, the notch antenna 2171 a is formed with the slit 2173 tovertically extend in FIG. 15, and is provided with the power supply line2175 to cross the slit 2173. That is, the notch antenna 2171 a cantransmit or receive the polarized wave R_(H) the polarization directionof which substantially matches with the horizontal direction of FIG. 15in wireless signals transmitted or received by the antenna apparatus2170.

To the contrary, the notch antenna 2171 b is formed with the slit 2173to horizontally extend in FIG. 15, and is provided with the power supplyline 2175 to cross the slit 2173. That is, the notch antenna 2171 b canor receive the polarized wave R_(V) the polarization direction of whichsubstantially matches with the vertical direction of FIG. 15 in wirelesssignals transmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2170.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2170 according tothe fifth variant can transmit or receive a plurality pf polarized waveswith mutually different polarization directions also in a case where thenotch antennas 2171 capable of transmitting or receiving only onepolarized wave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more notch antennas 2171 a and 2171 b are eachformed, the numbers of notch antennas 2171 a and 2171 b are notparticularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality of notchantennas 2171 a and 2171 b is each formed, as in the communicationapparatus 213 according to the first variant in a case where beamforming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus has been describedabove according to the fifth variant with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG.15 in a case where notch antennas are applied as antenna devices.

(Sixth Variant: Exemplary, Configuration in a Case where MonopoleAntenna is Applied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus will be subsequentlydescribed according to a sixth variant in a case where a monopoleantenna is applied as an antenna device.

An outline of a monopole antenna will be first described with referenceto FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outlineof a monopole antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, a monopole antenna 2181 is configured of arod-shaped element 2183 formed to extend from a ground plane 2189including a conductive material, and a power supply point 2185 providedto be positioned on an end of the element 2183 closer to the groundplane 2189. With the configuration, a current flows along the rod-shapedelement 2183 in response to power supplied from the power supply point2185 in the monopole antenna 2181. That is, the monopole antenna 2181can transmit or receive a polarized wave the polarization direction ofwhich substantially matches with a direction in which the rod-shapedelement 2183 extends.

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus in which the monopoleantenna 2181 described with reference to FIG. 16 is applied as anantenna device will be described with reference to FIG. 17 according tothe above description. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to the sixth variant.Additionally. FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2180 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2180 according to the sixth variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2180 illustrated inFIG. 17 mainly transmits or receives wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 17.

As described above, the monopole antenna 2181 can transmit or receive apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the direction in which the rod-shaped element 2183 extends. Inother words, a current flows in the rod-shaped element 2183 in onedirection, and thus the monopole antenna 2181 itself can transmit orreceive only one polarized wave. On the other hand, a plurality ofantenna devices is arranged in consideration of the directions ofpolarized waves transmittable or receivable by the respective antennadevices on the basis of the similar spirit to the third variant, therebytransmitting or receiving polarized waves with mutually differentpolarization directions similarly to the patch antenna. Thus, aplurality of monopole antennas 2181 (or monopole antennas 2181 a and2181 b) is provided to be able to transmit or receive polarized waveswith mutually different polarization directions in the antenna apparatus2180 illustrated in FIG. 17.

Specifically, the monopole antenna 2181 a is formed with the rod-shapedelement 2183 to horizontally extend in FIG. 17. That is, the monopoleantenna 2181 a can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(H) thepolarization direction of which substantially matches with thehorizontal direction of FIG. 17 in wireless signals trans pitted orreceived by the antenna apparatus 2180.

To the contrary, the monopole antenna 2181 b is formed with therod-shaped element 2183 to vertically extend in FIG. 17. That is, themonopole antenna 2181 b can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(V)the polarization direction of which substantially matches with thevertical direction of FIG. 17 in wireless signals transmitted orreceived by the antenna apparatus 2180.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2180 according tothe sixth variant can transmit or receive a plurality of polarized waveswith mutually different polarization directions also in a case where themonopole antennas 2181 capable of transmitting or receiving only onepolarized wave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more monopole antennas 2181 a and 2181 b areeach provided, the numbers of monopole antennas 2181 a and 2181 b arenot particularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality ofmonopole antennas 2181 a and 2181 b is each provided as in thecommunication apparatus 213 according to the first variant in a casewhere beam forming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus has been describedabove according to the sixth variant with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG.17 in a case where monopole antennas are applied as antenna devices.

(Seventh Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where InvertedF-Antenna is Applied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to aseventh variant will be subsequently described in a case where aninverted F-antenna is applied as an antenna device.

An outline of an inverted F-antenna will be first described withreference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explainingan outline of an inverted F-antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, an inverted F-antenna 2191 includes anF-shaped element 2193 and a power supply point 2195. The F-shapedelement 2193 is configured of a rod-shaped part separated from an end ofa ground plane 2199 and extending along the end, and a part for crossingthe rod-shaped part and the ground plane 2199 at two positions of oneend of the rod-shaped part. Further, the F-shaped element 2193 isprovided with the power supply point 2195 at one of the parts connectedwith the ground plane 2199, and the other part operates as ashort-circuit point. With the configuration, a current flows along therod-shaped part separated from an end of the ground plane 2199 andextending along the end in the F-shaped element 2193 in the invertedF-antenna 2191. That is, the inverted. F-antenna 2191 can transmit orreceive a polarized wave the polarization direction of whichsubstantially matches with a direction in which the rod-shaped partextends.

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus in which the invertedF-antenna 2191 described with reference to FIG. 18 is applied as anantenna device will be described with reference to FIG. 19 according tothe above description, FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to the seventh variant.Additionally, FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2190 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2190 according to the seventh variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2190 illustrated inFIG. 19 mainly transmits or receives wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 19.

As described above, the inverted F-antenna 2191 can transmit or receivea polarized wave the polarization direction of which substantiallymatches with the direction in which the rod-shaped part separated froman end of the ground plane 2199 and extending along the end extends inthe F-shaped element 2193, in other words, a current flows in therod-shaped part in one direction and thus the inverted. F-antenna 2191itself can transmit or receive only one polarized wave. On the otherhand, a plurality of antenna devices is arranged in consideration of thedirections of polarized waves transmittable or receivable by therespective antenna devices on the basis of the similar spirit to thethird variant, thereby transmitting or receiving polarized waves withmutually different polarization directions similarly to the patchantenna. Thus, a plurality of inverted F-antennas 2191 (or inverted.F-antennas 2191 a and 2191 b) is provided to be able to transmit orreceive polarized waves with mutually different polarization directionsin the antenna apparatus 2190 illustrated in FIG. 19.

Specifically, the inverted F-antenna 2191 a is arranged such that thedirection of the rod-shaped part separated from an end of the groundplane 2199 and extending along the end extends substantially matcheswith the horizontal direction of FIG. 19 in the F-shaped element 2193.That is, the inverted F-antenna 2191 a can transmit or receive thepolarized wave R_(H) the polarization direction of which substantiallymatches with the horizontal direction of FIG. 19 in wireless signalstransmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2190.

To the contrary, the inverted F-antenna 2191 b is arranged such that thedirection in which the rod-shaped part separated from an end of theground plane 2199 and extending along the end extends substantiallymatches with the vertical direction of FIG. 19 in the F-shaped element2193. That is, the inverted F-antenna 2191 b can transmit or receive thepolarized wave R_(V) the polarization direction of which substantiallymatches with the vertical direction of FIG. 19 in wireless signalstransmitted or received by the antenna apparatus 2190.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2190 according tothe seventh variant can or receive a plurality of polarized waves withmutually different polarization directions in a case where the invertedF-antennas 2191 capable of transmitting or receiving only one polarizedwave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more inverted F-antennas 2191 a and 2191 b iseach provided, the numbers of inverted F-antennas 2191 a and 2191 b arenot particularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality ofinverted F-antennas 2191 a and 2191 b is each provided as in thecommunication apparatus 213 according to the first variant in a casewhere beam forming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus according to theseventh variant has been described above with reference to FIG. 18 andFIG. 19 in a case where the inverted F-antennas are applied as antennadevices.

(Eighth Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Loop Antenna isApplied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to aneighth variant will be subsequently described in a case where a loopantenna is applied as an antenna device.

An outline of a loop antenna will be first described with reference toFIG. 20. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline ofa loop antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a loop antenna 2201 is configured of anannular (loop-shaped) element 2203 and a power supply point 2205. Theelement 2203 is formed as an annular (loop-shaped) coil with anelongated conductor, and its respective ends are connected to a groundplane 2209 at mutually different positions. Further, the power supplypoint 2205 is provided at one end of the respective ends (or the endsconnected to the ground plane 2209) of the element 2203. With theconfiguration, a current flows in a direction in which the annularelement 2203 extends in the loop antenna 2201. With the property, theloop antenna 2201 can transmit or receive two polarized waves withmutually different polarization directions depending on the shape of theelement 2203, but only one power supply point 2205 is provided and thusthe two polarized waves are difficult to discriminate.

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus in which the loopantenna 2201 described with reference to FIG. 20 is applied as anantenna device will be described with reference to FIG. 21 according tothe above description. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to the eighth variant,Additionally. FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2200 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2200 according to the eighth variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2200 illustrated inFIG. 21 mainly transmits or receives wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the element 2203 forms a square loop and aplurality of loop antennas 2201 (or loop antennas 2201 a and 2201 b)with mutually different aspect ratios of the element 2203 is provided inthe antenna apparatus 2200.

Specifically, the loop antenna 2201 a is formed with the element 2203such that a direction in which the ground plane 2209 extends (or thehorizontal direction of FIG. 21) is the longitudinal direction. Thereby,the loop antenna 2201 a more dominantly transmits or receives thepolarized wave R_(H) the polarization direction of which substantiallymatches with the longitudinal direction than the polarized wave R_(V)the polarization direction of which substantially matches e shortdirection. That is, the loop antenna 2201 a can transmit or receive thepolarized wave R_(H) in wireless signals transmitted or received by theantenna apparatus 2190.

To the contrary, the loop antenna 2201 b is formed with the element 2203such a direction (or the vertical direction of FIG. 21) orthogonal tothe direction in which the ground plane 2209 extends is the longitudinaldirection. Thereby, the loop antenna 2201 b more dominantly transmits orreceives the polarized wave R_(V) the polarization direction of whichsubstantially matches with the longitudinal direction than the polarizedwave R_(H) the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the short direction. That is, the loop antenna 2201 b can transmitor receive the polarized wave R_(V) in wireless signals transmitted orreceived by the antenna apparatus 2190.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2200 according tothe eighth variant can discriminate and transmit or receive each of aplurality of polarized waves with mutually different polarizationdirections also in a case where the loop antennas 2201 are applied.

Additionally, if one or more loop antennas 2201 a and 2201 b are eachprovided, the numbers of loop antennas 2201 a and 2201 b are notparticularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality of loopantennas 2201 a and 2201 b are each provided as in the communicationapparatus 213 according to the first variant in a case where beamforming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus according to theeighth variant has been described above with reference to FIG. 20 andFIG. 21 in a case where the loop antennas are applied as antennadevices.

(Ninth Variant: Exemplary Configuration in a Case where Slot Antenna isApplied)

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus according to a ninthvariant will be subsequently described in a case where a slot antenna isapplied as an antenna device.

An outline of a slot antenna will be first described with reference toFIG. 22. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline ofa slot antenna.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, a slot antenna 2211 is configured of anelongated slot 2213 (or elongated cutout) formed on a ground plane 2219including a conductive material, a power supply line 2215, and a powersupply point 2217. The power supply line 2215 is provided to cross theends extending in the longitudinal direction of the slot 2213. Further,the power supply point 2217 is provided at one end of the power supplyline 2215. With the configuration, a current flows along the powersupply line 2215 provided to cross the slot 2213 in the slot antenna2211. That is, the slot antenna 2211 can transmit or receive a polarizedwave the polarization direction of which substantially matches with adirection in which the power supply line 2215 extends.

An exemplary configuration of an antenna apparatus in which the slotantenna 2211 described with reference to FIG. 22 is applied as anantenna device will be described with reference to FIG. 23 according tothe above description. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of an antenna apparatus according to the ninth variant,Additionally, FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary schematic configurationof an antenna apparatus 2210 viewed in the normal direction of a face ina case where the antenna apparatus 2210 according to the ninth variantis held to be positioned near the face (such as part of the outer facesof the casing 209). That is, the antenna apparatus 2210 illustrated inFIG. 23 can transmit or receive wireless signals propagating in adirection substantially matching with the depth direction of FIG. 23.

As described above, the slot antenna 2211 can transmit or receive apolarized wave the polarization direction of which substantially matcheswith the direction in which the power supply line 2215 provided to crossthe slot 2213 formed on the ground plane 2219 including a conductivematerial extends. Thus, a plurality of slots extending in mutuallydifferent directions is provided on the ground plane 2219, and thus theantenna apparatus 2210 illustrated in FIG. 23 is provided with aplurality of slot antennas 2211 (or slot antennas 2211 a and 2211 b).

Specifically, the slot antenna 2211 a is formed with the slot 2213extending in the vertical direction of FIG. 23, and is provided with thepower supply line 2215 to cross the slot 2213. That is, the slot antenna2211 a can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(H) the polarizationdirection of which substantially matches with the horizontal directionof FIG. 23 in wireless signals transmitted or received by the antennaapparatus 2210.

To the contrary, the slot antenna 2211 b is formed with the slot 2213extending in the horizontal direction of FIG. 23, and is provided withthe power supply line 2215 to cross the slot 2213. That is, the slotantenna 2211 b can transmit or receive the polarized wave R_(V) thepolarization direction of which substantially matches with the verticaldirection of FIG. 23 in wireless signals transmitted or received by theantenna apparatus 2210.

With the above configuration, the antenna apparatus 2210 according tothe ninth variant can transmit or receive a plurality of polarized waveswith mutually different polarization directions also in a case where theslot antennas 2211 capable of transmitting or receiving only onepolarized wave are applied.

Additionally, if one or more slot antennas 2211 a and 2211 b are eachformed, the numbers of slot antennas 2211 a and 2211 b are notparticularly limited. However, it is desirable that a plurality of slotantennas 2211 a and 2211 b is each formed as in the communicationapparatus 213 according to the first variant in a case where beamforming is used.

An exemplary configuration of the antenna apparatus according to theeighth variant has been described above with reference to FIG. 22 andFIG. 23 in a case where the loop antennas are applied as antennadevices.

<3.4. Examples>

Examples of the communication apparatus (such as the terminal apparatus200) according to the present embodiment will be subsequently described.As described above, a millimeter wave tends to be easily reflected on ahuman body. To the contrary, a portable communication apparatus (such asthe terminal apparatus 200) such as Smartphone is used while its casingis being held in a hand in many cases. Thus, when a communication pathdirectly connecting an antenna device provided in a terminal apparatusand a base station is blocked by a site such as a hand holding thecasing of the terminal apparatus, a millimeter wave propagating in thecommunication path is blocked by the site such as a hand. Exemplaryantenna apparatus installation positions will be described according tothe present examples in terms of such a situation assuming that a userholds a terminal apparatus.

First Example: First Exemplary Configuration Assuming Vertical Holding)

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position according to afirst example will be first described with reference to FIG. 24 and FIG.25 assuming that a communication apparatus is vertically held. FIG. 24and FIG. 25 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an outline of acommunication apparatus according to the first example. Additionally,“vertical holding” in the following description indicates that acommunication apparatus including a casing with a substantiallyrectangular face such as the terminal apparatus 200 is held such thatthat the longitudinal direction of the face substantially matches withthe vertical direction of a user. Further, to the contrary, how thecommunication apparatus is held such that the longitudinal direction ofthe face substantially matches with the horizontal direction of the useris also called “horizontal holding”.

For example, FIG. 24 illustrates how a communication apparatus (such asthe terminal apparatus 200) such as Smartphone is vertically held by wayof example. Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 24, theuser holds the lower end in the longitudinal direction of the casing 209of the terminal apparatus 200 by a hand U111.

Further, FIG. 25 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part blockedby a user's hand in the respective parts of the terminal apparatus 200in a case where the terminal apparatus 200 is held as illustrated inFIG. 24. Additionally, the communication apparatus according to thefirst example may be denoted as “communication apparatus 231” in thefollowing description in order to discriminate from the communicationapparatuses according to the above embodiment and the respectivevariants or the communication apparatuses according to the otherexamples.

The reference numerals 201 to 205 in FIG. 25 correspond to the backside201 and the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, in theexample described with reference to FIG. 5. Further, a reference numeralU113 schematically illustrates a region blocked by a user's hand (or thehand U111 illustrated in FIG. 24).

That is, particularly in a case where the lower part is held asillustrated in FIG. 24 while the communication apparatus 231 isvertically held, even if an antenna apparatus is provided in the regionU113, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit or receive by theantenna apparatus. Assuming the case, an antenna apparatus may beprovided at an upper part in a case where the communication apparatus231 is vertically held as illustrated in FIG. 25, for example. Forexample, a reference numeral 2310 in FIG. 25 schematically illustratesan antenna apparatus provided in the communication apparatus 231according to the present example.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 25, even if an antennaapparatus is installed in the region U113, the antenna apparatus hardlycontributes to an enhancement in communication property in communicationusing millimeter waves. Thus, assuming that the communication apparatus231 is held as illustrated in FIG. 24, an antenna apparatus positionedwithin the region U113 illustrated in FIG. 25 may be temporarilydisabled or an antenna apparatus may not be provided within the regionU113, for example. Additionally, which part of the casing 209 the userholds can be dynamically recognized by use of a sensor for detecting anapproach of a human body such as capacitive sensor, for example.Further, an orientation holding or horizontal holding) of the casing 209can be dynamically recognized by use of various sensors such as gravitysensor, acceleration sensor, and angular speed sensor, for example.

Additionally, the vertical direction may be explicitly determined in acase where a communication apparatus such as Smartphone is verticallyheld. As a specific example, in a case where the vertical direction of acommunication apparatus is explicitly determined while the communicationapparatus is vertically held, the screen displayed on the display is notinverted and the display is maintained even if the vertical direction isinverted, for example. With the configuration, it is expected that theuser holds the communication apparatus such that the vertical directionof the communication apparatus substantially matches with the verticaldirection of the user in many cases while he/she vertically holds thecommunication apparatus.

In a case where the vertical direction of the communication apparatus isexplicitly determined in vertical holding in this way, it is better thatat least one antenna apparatus 2310 is held to be positioned on theupper side of the communication apparatus while the communicationapparatus is vertically held.

Further, the lower half of a communication apparatus is held in manycases while the communication apparatus is vertically held. Assuming thecase, it is better that the antenna apparatus 2310 positioned in thehorizontal direction of the communication apparatus is held to bepositioned on the upper half side of the communication apparatus whilethe communication apparatus is vertically held, for example.

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position according to thefirst example has been described above with reference to FIG. 24 andFIG. 25 assuming that a communication apparatus is vertically held.

(Second Example: Second Exemplary Configuration Assuming VerticalHolding)

Other exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming that acommunication apparatus is vertically held will be subsequentlydescribed according to a second example with reference to FIG. 26 andFIG. 27. FIG. 26 and FIG. 7 are explanatory diagrams for explaining anoutline of a communication apparatus according to the second example.

For example, FIG. 26 illustrates other example in which a communicationapparatus (such as the terminal apparatus 200) such as Smartphone isvertically held. Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 26,the user grips around the centers of both ends in the short direction ofthe casing 209 of the terminal apparatus 200 with a hand U115.

Further, FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part blockedby a user's hand in the respective parts of the terminal apparatus 200in a case where the terminal apparatus 200 is held as illustrated inFIG. 26. Additionally, the communication apparatus according to thesecond example may be dented as “communication apparatus 232” in thefollowing description in order to discriminate from the communicationapparatuses according to the above embodiment and the respectivevariants or the communication apparatuses according to the otherexamples.

The reference numerals 201 to 205 in FIG. 27 correspond to the backside201 and the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, in theexample described with reference to FIG. 5. Further, the referencenumeral U115 schematically illustrates a region blocked by a user's hand(or the hand U113 illustrated in FIG. 26),

That is, particularly in a case where around the centers of both ends(or the end faces 203 and 205) in the short direction are held with ahand as illustrated in FIG. 26 while the communication apparatus 232 isvertically held, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit or receiveby an antenna apparatus even if the antenna apparatus is provided in theregion U115. Assuming the case, for example, antenna apparatuses may beprovided at the upper and lower positions as illustrated in FIG. 27while the communication apparatus 231 is vertically held. For example, areference numeral 2320 in FIG. 27 schematically illustrates antennaapparatus provided in the communication apparatus 232 according to thepresent example.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 27, even if an antennaapparatus is installed in the region U115, the antenna apparatus hardlycontributes to an enhancement in communication property in communicationusing millimeter waves. Thus, assuming that the communication apparatus232 is held as illustrated in FIG. 26, an antenna apparatus positionedin the region U115 illustrated in FIG. 27 may be temporarily disabled oran antenna apparatus may not be provided within the region U115, forexample.

Other exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming thatthe communication apparatus is vertically held has been described aboveaccording to the second example with reference to FIG. 26 and FIG. 27.

(Third Example: Third Exemplary Configuration Assuming Vertical Holding)

Other exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming that acommunication apparatus is vertically held will be subsequentlydescribed according to a third example with reference to FIG. 28 andFIG. 29. FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are explanatory diagrams for explaining anoutline of a communication apparatus according to the third example.

For example, FIG. 28 illustrates other example in which a communicationapparatus (such as the terminal apparatus 200) such as Smartphone isvertically held. Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 28,the user grips around the centers of both ends in the short direction ofthe casing 209 of the terminal apparatus 200 with a hand U119. Further,in the example illustrated in FIG. 28, a sound collection part such asmicrophone is provided on the lower side of the communication apparatus,and the user holds the communication apparatus such that the lower sideis positioned near the head U121 (particularly the mouth) of the user.

Further, FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part blockedby a user's hand in the respective parts of the terminal apparatus 200and a part positioned near the head of the user in a case where theterminal apparatus 200 is held as illustrated in FIG. 28. Additionally,the communication apparatus according to the third example may bedenoted as “communication apparatus 233” in the following description inorder to discriminate from the communication apparatuses according tothe above embodiment and the respective variants or the communicationapparatuses according to the other examples.

The reference numerals 201 to 205 in FIG. 29 correspond to the backside201 and the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, in theexample described with reference to FIG. 5. Further, a reference numeralU123 schematically illustrates a region blocked by a user's hand (or thehand U119 illustrated in FIG. 28). Further, a reference numeral U125schematically illustrates a region positioned near the head (the headU121 illustrated in FIG. 28) of the user.

That is, particularly in a case where around the centers of both ends(or the end faces 203 and 205) in the short direction are held with ahand as illustrated in FIG. 28 while the communication apparatus 233 isvertically held, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit or receiveby an antenna apparatus even if the antenna apparatus is provided in theregion U123. Further, the legally—defined conditions for human body,particularly the head may be severer than those for other sites in termsof human body protection from wireless signals (particularly millimeterwaves). Assuming the case, for example, an antenna apparatus may beprovided at an upper part as illustrated in FIG. 29 in a case where thecommunication apparatus 231 is vertically held. For example, a referencenumeral 2330 in FIG. 29 schematically illustrates an antenna apparatusprovided in the communication apparatus 233 according to the presentexample.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 29, even if an antennaapparatus is installed in the region U123, the antenna apparatus hardlycontributes to an enhancement in communication property in communicationusing millimeter waves. Thus, assuming that the communication apparatus233 is held as illustrated in FIG. 28, for example, an antenna apparatuspositioned within the region U123 illustrated in FIG. 29 may betemporarily disabled, or an antenna apparatus may not be provided withinthe region U123.

Further, in consideration of influences on human body by wirelesssignals, a region where the sound collection part such as microphone isprovided, such as the region U125, is positioned near the head of theuser depending on a situation. In terms of such a situation, it may bedesirable that the antenna apparatus provided in the region U125 is notused for communication using millimeter waves. Thus, assuming that thecommunication apparatus 233 is held as illustrated in FIG. 28, anantenna apparatus positioned within the region U125 illustrated in FIG.29 may be temporarily disabled or an antenna apparatus may not beprovided within the region U125, for example.

Other exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming thatthe communication apparatus is vertically held has been described aboveaccording to the third example with reference to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29.

(Fourth Example: Exemplary Configuration Assuming Horizontal Holding)

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming that acommunication apparatus is horizontally held will be subsequentlydescribed according to a fourth example with reference to FIG. 30 toFIG. 32. FIG. 30 to FIG. 32 are explanatory diagrams for explaining anoutline of a communication apparatus according to the fourth example.

Specifically, FIG. 30 to FIG. 32 particularly illustrate that the userholds a communication apparatus to oppose a display part 207 (such asdisplay) provided on the top side 206 of the casing 209 of thecommunication apparatus in a case where the communication apparatus(such as the terminal apparatus 200) such as Smartphone is horizontallyheld by way of example. Additionally, the communication apparatusesillustrated in FIG. 30, FIG. 31, and FIG. 32 may be denoted as“communication apparatus 234”, “communication apparatus 235”, and“communication apparatus 236”, respectively, in the present invention inorder to discriminate from the communication apparatuses according tothe above embodiment and the respective variants or the communicationapparatuses according to the other examples. Further, the referencenumerals 202 to 205 in each of FIG. 30 to FIG. 32 correspond to the endfaces 202 to 205 of the casing 209 in the example described withreference to FIG. 5. Further, the reference numeral 206 indicates thetop side of the casing 209, and the reference numeral 207 indicates adisplay part (display) provided on the top side 206,

The example illustrated in FIG. 30 will be first described. The exampleillustrated in FIG. 30 illustrates that the end face 204 positioned onthe right side viewed from a user is held with a user's hand (such asthe right hand) such that the end face 205 is positioned upward viewedfrom the user by way of example. Further, a reference numeral U127 inFIG. 30 schematically illustrates a region blocked by a user's hand.

Particularly in a case where the end face 204 is held with a hand asillustrated in FIG. 30 while the communication apparatus 234 ishorizontally held, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit or receiveby an antenna apparatus even if the antenna apparatus is provided in theregion U127. Assuming the case, for example, antenna apparatuses may beprovided at the upper, lower, and left positions viewed from the user asillustrated in FIG. 30 in a case where the communication apparatus 234is horizontally held. For example, a reference numeral 2340 in FIG. 30schematically illustrates an antenna apparatus provided in thecommunication apparatus 234 illustrated in FIG. 30 in the communicationapparatuses according to the present example.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 30, an antenna apparatushardly contributes to an enhancement in communication property incommunication using millimeter waves even if the antenna apparatus isinstalled in the region U127. Thus, assuming that the communicationapparatus 234 is held, as illustrated in FIG. 30, an antenna apparatuspositioned within the region U127 illustrated in FIG. 30 may betemporarily disabled or an antenna apparatus may not be provided withinthe region for example.

The example illustrated in FIG. 31 will be described below. The exampleillustrated in FIG. 31 illustrates that the end face 202 positioned onthe left side viewed from the user is held with a user's hand (such asthe left hand) such that the end face 205 is positioned upward viewedfrom the user by way of example. Further, a reference numeral U129 inFIG. 31 schematically illustrates a region blocked by a user's hand.

Particularly in a case where the end face 202 is held with a hand asillustrated in FIG. 31 while the communication apparatus 235 ishorizontally held, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit or receiveby an antenna apparatus even if the antenna apparatus is provided in theregion U129. Assuming the case, for example, in a case where thecommunication apparatus 235 is horizontally held as illustrated in FIG.31, antenna apparatuses may be provided on the upper, lower, and rightpositions viewed from the user. For example, a reference numeral 2350 inFIG. 31 schematically illustrates an antenna apparatus provided in thecommunication apparatus 235 illustrated in FIG. 31 in the communicationapparatuses according to the present example.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 31, an antenna apparatushardly contributes to an enhancement in communication property incommunication using millimeter waves even if the antenna apparatus isinstalled in the region U129. Thus, assuming that the communicationapparatus 235 is held as illustrated in FIG. 31, an antenna apparatuspositioned within the region U129 illustrated in FIG. 31 may betemporarily disabled or an antenna apparatus may not be provided withinthe region U129, for example.

The example illustrated in FIG. 32 will be described below. The exampleillustrated in FIG. 32 illustrates that both the end faces 202 and 204positioned on the left and right sides viewed from the user are heldwith user's hands (such as both hands) such that the end face 205 ispositioned upward viewed from the user by way of example. Further, thereference numerals U127 and U129 in FIG. 32 schematically illustrateregions blocked by the user's hands, respectively.

Particularly in a case where both the end faces 202 and 204 are held byboth hands as illustrated in FIG. 32 while the communication apparatus236 is horizontally held, a millimeter wave is difficult to transmit orreceive by antenna apparatuses even if the antenna apparatuses areprovided in the regions U127 and U129. Assuming the case, for example,in a case where the communication apparatus 236 is horizontally held asillustrated in FIG. 32, antenna apparatuses may be provided at the upperand lower positions viewed from the user. For example, a referencenumeral 2360 in FIG. 32 schematically illustrates an antenna apparatusprovided in the communication apparatus 236 illustrated in FIG. 32 inthe communication apparatuses according to the present example.

Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 32, antenna apparatuseshardly contribute to an enhancement in communication property incommunication using millimeter waves even if the antenna apparatuses areinstalled in the regions U127 and U129, respectively. Thus, assumingthat the communication apparatus 236 is held as illustrated in FIG. 32,the antenna apparatuses positioned in the regions U127 and U129illustrated in FIG. 32 may be temporarily disabled or an antennaapparatus may not be provided in the regions U127 and U129, for example.

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming that thecommunication apparatus is horizontally held has been described aboveaccording to the fourth example with reference to FIG. 30 to FIG. 32.

(Fifth Example: Configuration Assuming Predetermined Device InstallationPosition)

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming apredetermined device installation position will be subsequentlydescribed according to a fifth example with reference to FIG. 33 andFIG. 34. FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are explanatory diagrams for explaining anoutline of a communication apparatus according to the fifth example.

Specifically, a form in ch a communication apparatus is held (or how tohold a communication apparatus) may be limited for some devices amongvarious devices provided in the communication apparatus depending on thepositions where the devices are installed in order to cause the devicesto function.

For example, FIG. 33 illustrates an exemplary antenna apparatusinstallation position assuming a position where a display part such asdisplay is installed.

Additionally, particularly the communication apparatus illustrated inFIG. 33 among the communication apparatuses according to the fifthexample may be denoted as “communication apparatus 237” in the followingdescription in order to discriminate from the communication apparatusesaccording to the above embodiment and the respective variants or thecommunication apparatuses according to the other examples.

The reference numerals 202 to 205 in FIG. 33 correspond to the end faces202 to 205 of the casing 209 in the example described with reference toFIG. 5. Further, the reference numeral 206 indicates the top side of thecasing 209, and the reference numeral 207 indicates a display part(display) provided on the top side 206. Additionally, the exampleillustrated in FIG. 33 schematically illustrates a state in which theuser horizontally holds the communication apparatus 237 in order to viewa video such as moving picture by use of the communication apparatus237. More specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 33, both theend faces 202 and 204 positioned on the left and right sides viewed fromthe user are held by user's hands (such as both hands) such that the endface 205 is positioned upward viewed from the user. That is, thereference numerals U127 and U129 schematically illustrate the regionsblocked by the hands, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 33, when at least part of the display part 207displaying a video thereon is held with a hand or the like while theuser views the video such as moving picture, the display part 207 isblocked by the hand or the like. Thus, it is expected that thecommunication apparatus 237 is less likely to be held to block thedisplay part 207. Further, the screen of video contents such as movie orgame is configured such that the horizontal direction is longer than thevertical direction in many cases, and the communication apparatus 237 islikely to be horizontally held while a video content is viewed.Additionally, for horizontal holding, the end face 205 may be heldupward as illustrated in FIG. 33, or the end face 203 may be heldupward.

In terms of the above situation, the regions denoted with a referencenumeral 2370, or the parts extending along the ends in the longitudinaldirection of the display part 207 on the end faces 203 and 205 are lesslikely to be blocked by user's hands or the like. Thus, an antennaapparatus is held in at least part of the regions 2370, and thus thecommunication apparatus is likely to contribute to an enhancement incommunication property in communication using millimeter waves.

Further, FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary antenna apparatus installationposition assuming a position where an antenna used for non-contactcommunication such as near field radio communication (NFC) is installed.Additionally, particularly the communication apparatus illustrated inFIG. 34 in the communication apparatuses according to the fifth examplemay be denoted as “communication apparatus 238” in the followingdescription in order to discriminate from the communication apparatusesaccording to the above embodiment and the respective variants or thecommunication apparatuses according to the other examples.

The reference numerals 201 to 205 in FIG. 33 correspond to the backside201 and the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, in theexample described with reference to FIG. 5. Additionally, the exampleillustrated in FIG. 33 schematically illustrates a state in which theuser horizontally holds the communication apparatus 237 in order to viewa video such as moving picture by use of the communication apparatus237. Additionally, a reference numeral 208 in FIG. 34 schematicallyillustrates an antenna used for non-contact communication. Further, thereference numeral U113 schematically illustrates a region blocked by auser's hand.

In a case where the user holds the communication apparatus 238 whenusing non-contact communication, it is assumed that the user holds adifferent part from the position where the antenna 208 used for thecommunications provided. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG.34, the antenna 208 is provided in a region positioned on the upper sideviewed from the user in a case where the communication apparatus 238 isvertically held, in such a situation, it is expected that the user holdsother different region from the region where the antenna 208 isapparatus 238, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 34.

Thus, an antenna apparatus used for communication using millimeter wavesor the antenna apparatus according to the present embodiment) may beprovided in a region near the antenna 208 used for non-contactcommunication, for example. As a more specific example, in a case wherethe antenna 208 is configured as a loop antenna, for example, thecommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment may beprovided to be positioned on the opening of the element of the antenna208.

Additionally, the above example is merely exemplary, and does notnecessarily limit the antenna apparatus installation position accordingto the present embodiment. That is, if an antenna apparatus installationposition is determined in consideration of a region blocked by a sitesuch as hand depending on the holding method while how to hold thecommunication apparatus is limited depending on a predetermined deviceinstallation position, the kind of the device is not particularlylimited, and the antenna apparatus installation position is not limited,

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming apredetermined device installation position has been described aboveaccording to the fifth example with reference to FIG. 33 and FIG. 34.

(Sixth Example: Specific Example of Antenna Apparatus InstallationPosition)

A more specific example of an antenna apparatus installation positionassuming a portable communication apparatus such as Smartphone will besubsequently described according to a sixth example with reference toFIG. 35. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an exemplaryconfiguration of a communication apparatus according to the sixthexample, and illustrates an exemplary schematic internal structure ofthe communication apparatus. Additionally, the example illustrated inFIG. 35 illustrates only some devices for easily understanding thecharacteristics of the communication apparatus according to the presentexample, and does not illustrate the other devices. Further, thecommunication apparatus according to the sixth example may be denoted as“communication apparatus 241” in the following description in order todiscriminate from the communication apparatuses according to the aboveembodiment and the respective variants or the communication apparatusesaccording to the other examples.

The reference numerals 202 to 205 in FIG. 35 correspond to the end faces202 to 205 of the casing 209, respectively, in the example describedwith reference to FIG. 5. That is, the upward direction in FIG. 35corresponds to the upward direction in a case where the communicationapparatus 241 is vertically held.

A reference numeral 2411 in FIG. 35 indicates a universal serial bus(USB) terminal. Further, reference numerals 2412 and 2413 indicate anantenna used for communication based on a standard such as LTE/LTE-A (orcommunication using an ultrahigh frequency of around 700 MHz to 3.5GHz). Further, reference numerals 2414 and 2415 indicate an antennasupplementally used for communication based on a standard such asLTE/LTE-A. Further, reference numerals 2418 to 2420 indicate an antennaused for communication based on a standard such as WiFi (registeredtrademark), an antenna supplementally used for communication based on astandard such as LTE/LTE-A, or the like. Further, reference numerals2416 and 2417 indicate an input device such as button provided on theend face 205 of the communication apparatus 241.

As illustrated in FIG. 35, the USB terminal 2411 or the antenna 2413used for communication based on a standard such as LTE/LTE-A is arrangednear the end face 203 on the lower side of the communication apparatus241, and the space therefor is limited. Thus, in the example illustratedin FIG. 35, the antenna apparatuses according to the present embodimentare provided to be positioned near the respective end faces (or the endfaces 202, 203, and 205) other than the end face 204 positioned on thelower side among the end faces 202 to 205 of the casing 209 in thecommunication apparatus 241. For example, reference numerals 2421 to2423 indicate an antenna apparatus according to the present embodiment.Additionally, it is of course desirable that the antenna apparatuses2421 to 2423 according to the present embodiment are installed to avoidinterfering with other devices such as the antennas 2414 and 2415, theantennas 2418 to 2420, and the input devices 2416 and 2417 asillustrated in FIG. 35.

A more specific example of an antenna apparatus installation positionassuming a portable communication apparatus such as Smartphone has beendescribed above according to the sixth example with reference to FIG.35.

(Seventh Example: Configuration Assuming the Use of Accessory)

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming the use ofan accessory such as so-called holder will be subsequently describedaccording to a seventh example with reference to FIG. 36. FIG. 36 is anexplanatory diagram for explaining an outline of a communicationapparatus according to the seventh example.

For example, FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary communication apparatusholding method in a case where an anti-drop ring holder is used.Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 36, a ring holder U133is attached on the back of the casing of the terminal apparatus 200, andthe user holds the casing of the terminal apparatus 200 with his/herfinger through the ring part of the ring holder U133. In this way, aform in which the terminal apparatus 200 is held (or how to hold acommunication apparatus) may be limited assuming the use of apredetermined accessory.

As a more specific example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 36, thering holder U133 is attached on substantially the center of the back ofthe casing of the terminal apparatus 200, and the user holds theterminal apparatus 200 by horizontally gripping around the centers ofboth ends in the short direction of the casing. Thus, in this case, in acase where the antenna apparatuses according to the present embodimentare provided near both ends in the short direction of the casing, it isbetter that they are provided to be positioned on the upper side of thecasing which is not blocked by a user's hand. For example, the referencenumeral 2411 schematically illustrates an antenna apparatus according tothe present embodiment.

Additionally, as described above according to the sixth example, anantenna used for communication based on other standard such as LTE/LTE-Aor WiFi may be provided in the communication apparatus in addition tothe antenna apparatuses according to the present embodiment. Thus, in acase where the positions where an antenna apparatus can be installed arelimited, the communication apparatus may be configured such that theantenna apparatuses according to the present embodiment are presenttogether with an antenna used for communication based on other standard,for example.

An exemplary antenna apparatus installation position assuming the se ofan accessory such as so-called holder has been described above accordingto the seventh example with reference to FIG. 36.

<3.5. Applications>

There will be subsequently described exemplary cases in which thetechnology according to the present disclosure is applied to apparatusesother than the communication terminals such as Smartphone asapplications of a communication apparatus according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

In recent years, a technology for connecting various things to a networkcalled Internet of things (IoT) has been paid attention to, and isassumed to be usable in communication by apparatuses other thanSmartphone or table terminal. Thus, for example, the technologyaccording to the present disclosure is applied to various mobileapparatuses so that communication using millimeter waves is enabled forthe apparatuses, and polarization MIMO can be used for thecommunication.

For example, FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram for explaining anapplication of the communication apparatus according to the presentembodiment, and illustrates that the technology according to the presentdisclosure is applied to a camera device by way of example.Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 37, the antennaapparatuses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure areheld to be positioned near the respective faces 301 and 302 facing inmutually different directions in the outer faces of the casing of acamera device 300, For example, a reference numeral 311 schematicallyillustrates an antenna apparatus according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. With the configuration, the camera device 300illustrated in FIG. 37 can r receive a respective plurality of polarizedwaves propagating in a direction substantially matching with the normaldirection of each face and having mutually different polarizationdirections for the respective faces 301 and 302, for example.Additionally, the antenna apparatuses 311 may be provided on not onlythe faces 301 and 302 illustrated in FIG. 37 but also the other faces.

Further, the technology according to the present disclosure can beapplied to unmanned aircraft called drone, or the like. For example,FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an application of thecommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment, andillustrates that the technology according to the present disclosure isapplied to a camera device installed on the lower part of a drone by wayof example. Specifically, in the case of a drone flying high, it isdesirable that wireless signals (millimeter waves) arriving in eachdirection can be transmitted or received mainly on the lower side. Thus,for example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 38, the antennaapparatuses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure areheld to be positioned near each other in mutually different directionson an outer face 401 of a casing of a camera device 400 installed on thelower part of the drone. For example, a reference numeral 411schematically illustrates an antenna apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. Further, though not illustrated inFIG. 38, not only the camera device 400 but also the antenna apparatuses411 may be provided in the respective parts of the casing of the droneitself, for example. Also in this case, it is better that the antennaapparatuses 411 are provided particularly on the lower side of thecasing.

Additionally, in a case where at least part of the outer face of thecasing of an apparatus of interest is curved. (or rounded) asillustrated in FIG. 38, it is better that the antenna apparatuses 411are held near a respective plurality of partial regions the normaldirections of which cross each other or the normal directions of whichare mutually twisted in the respective partial regions in the curvedface. With the configuration, the camera device 400 illustrated in FIG.38 can transmit or receive a respective plurality of polarized wavespropagating in a direction substantially matching with the normaldirection of each partial region and having mutually differentpolarization directions.

Additionally, the examples illustrated in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 are merelyexemplary, and the technology according to the present disclosure may beapplied to apparatuses for communication using millimeter waves, notparticularly limited.

Examples in which the technology according to the present disclosure isapplied to apparatuses other than the communication terminals such asSmartphone have been described above as applications of thecommunication apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure with reference to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38.

<<4. Conclusion>

As described above, a communication apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of antennaparts for receiving or transmitting wireless signals, a communicationcontrol part for controlling transmitting or receiving wireless signalsvia at least any of the plurality of antenna parts, and a casing housingthe communication control part. Further, the respective plurality ofantenna parts is held near a respective plurality of partial regions thenormal directions of which cross each other or the normal directions ofwhich are mutually twisted on the outer faces of the casing, andtransmits or receives a plurality of polarized waves propagating in adirection substantially orthogonal to each of the partial regions andhaving mutually different polarization directions.

With the configuration, also in a situation in which the position ororientation changes over time like a portable communication apparatus,the communication apparatus can realize polarization MIMO using a directwave in a more suitable form in communication with other apparatus via awireless communication path.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but thetechnical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to theexamples. It is apparent to those skilled in the art in the technicalfield of the present disclosure that various changes or modificationscan be assumed within the scope of the technical spirit described inCLAIMS and these of course belong to the technical scope of the presentdisclosure.

Further, the effects described in the present specification are merelyexplanatory or exemplary, and are not restrictive. That is, thetechnology according to the present disclosure can achieve other effectsapparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the presentspecification together with the above effects or instead of the aboveeffects.

Additionally, the following configurations also belong to the technicalscope of the present disclosure.

(1)

A communication apparatus including:

a plurality of antenna parts configured to receive or transmit awireless signal;

a communication control part configured to control transmitting orreceiving the wireless signal via at least any of the plurality ofantenna parts; and

a casing housing the communication control part,

in which each of the plurality of antenna parts is held near each of aplurality of partial regions normal directions of which cross each otheror the normal directions of which are mutually twisted in outer faces ofthe casing, and transmit or receive a first wireless signal and a secondwireless signal propagating in directions substantially orthogonal tothe partial regions and having mutually different polarizationdirections.

(2)

The communication apparatus according to (1), in which the antenna partincludes an antenna device configured to transmit or receive the firstwireless signal and the second wireless signal the polarizationdirections of which are orthogonal to each other.

(3)

The communication apparatus according to (2), in which the antennadevice is configured as a planar antenna.

(4)

The communication apparatus according to (2) or (3), in which theantenna part includes a plurality of the antenna devices.

(5)

The communication apparatus according to (1),

in which the antenna part includes:

a first antenna device configured to receive or transmit the firstwireless signal; and

a second antenna device configured to receive or transmit the secondwireless signal.

(6)

The communication apparatus according to (5), in which at least any ofthe first antenna device and the second antenna device is configured asany of a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a one-side short-circuitplanar antenna, a notch antenna, an inverted F-antenna, a loop antenna,and a slot antenna.

(7)

The communication apparatus according to (5) or (6), in which theantenna part includes at least any of a plurality of the first antennadevices or the second antenna devices.

(8)

The communication apparatus according to (1),

in which the antenna parts are held along a plurality of the outer facesthe normal directions of which cross each other or the normal directionsof which are mutually twisted and are continuous, and

include an antenna device configured to transmit or receive the firstwireless signal and the second wireless signal propagating in adirection substantially orthogonal to the partial region of the outerface for each of the plurality of outer faces.

(9)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), in whichthe communication control part controls receiving the first wirelesssignal and the second wireless signal arriving in the normal directionof a second partial region different from a first partial region grippedby a user by the antenna part held near the second partial region in theouter faces of the casing.

(10)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9),

in which at least one face of the outer faces of the casing forms arectangular shape, and

at least some antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts are heldnear e partial regions of at least some of end faces positioned aroundthe face.

(11)

The communication apparatus according to (10), in which at least someantenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts are held near thepartial regions of at least some of the end faces positioned on an upperside in a case where the casing is gripped such that a longitudinaldirection of the face is a vertical direction.

(12)

The communication apparatus according to (10) or (11), in which at leastsome antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts are held near thepartial regions of at least some of the end faces positioned on theupper side in a case where the casing is gripped such that the verticaldirection of the casing substantially matches with a vertical directionof a user facing the face of the casing.

(13)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (10) to (12), inwhich at least some antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts areheld near the partial regions of at least some of faces extending in thelongitudinal direction of the face in the end faces.

(14)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (10) to (13), inwhich at least some antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts areheld near the partial region of at least part of the face.

(15)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (10) to (14),

in which a display part in a rectangular shape is provided on the face,and

at least some antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts are heldnear the partial regions of at least some of faces extending along theends in a longitudinal direction of the display part in the end faces.

(16)

The communication apparatus according to any one of (1) to (15), inwhich at least two antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts areheld near a plurality of the partial regions the normal directions ofwhich cross each other or the normal directions of which are mutuallytwisted in the outer faces at least part of which is curved.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 System-   100 Base station-   200 Terminal apparatus-   2001 Antenna part-   2003 Wireless communication part-   2005 Communication control part-   2007 Storage part-   209 Casing-   2111 a to 2111 f Antenna apparatus

The invention claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus comprising: aplurality of antenna parts configured to receive or transmit one or morewireless signals; a communication control part configured to controltransmitting or receiving the one or more wireless signals via at leastone of the plurality of antenna parts; and a casing housing thecommunication control part and the plurality of antenna parts, whereineach of the plurality of antenna parts is held near each of a pluralityof partial regions of outer faces of an inside of the casing, each ofthe plurality of partial regions having a respective one of a pluralityof normal directions, the plurality of normal directions cross eachother, and the plurality of antenna parts are configured to transmit orreceive a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal propagatingin directions substantially orthogonal to the partial regions and havingmutually different polarization directions, wherein a first antenna partof the plurality of antenna parts is disposed in a first region of theplurality of partial regions, the first antenna part comprises multiplefirst antenna elements, the multiple first antenna elements are disposedalong a first line parallel to a first end face from among the outerfaces of the casing, wherein a second antenna part of the plurality ofantenna parts is disposed in a second region of the plurality of partialregions, the second antenna part is coupled to the first antenna partand comprises multiple second antenna elements, the multiple secondantenna elements are disposed along a second line parallel to a secondend face from among the outer faces of the casing, and the first endface is orthogonal to the second end face, wherein a first number of themultiple first antenna elements is four (4) or more and is equal to asecond number of the multiple second antenna elements, and wherein thefirst line along which the multiple first antenna elements are disposedis substantially parallel to the second line along which the multiplesecond antenna elements are disposed.
 2. The communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of antenna partscomprises a plurality of antenna elements configured to transmit orreceive the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal withrespective polarization directions which are orthogonal to each other.3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the firstantenna part is configured to receive or transmit the first wirelesssignal; and the second antenna part is configured to receive or transmitthe second wireless signal.
 4. The communication apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the communication control part is configured to controlreceiving the first wireless signal and the second wireless signalarriving in the normal direction of a second partial region, the secondpartial region is different from a first partial region gripped by auser, with at least one of the plurality of antenna parts held near thesecond partial region in the outer faces of the casing.
 5. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one faceof outer faces of the casing forms a rectangular shape, and at leastsome of the plurality of antenna parts are held near the partial regionsof at least some of end faces positioned around the at least one face.6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the atleast some of the plurality of antenna parts are held near the partialregions of at least some of the end faces positioned on an upper side ina case where the casing is gripped such that a longitudinal direction ofthe at least one face is a vertical direction.
 7. The communicationapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least some of theplurality of antenna parts are held near the partial regions of at leastsome of the end faces positioned on the upper side in a case where thecasing is gripped such that a vertical direction of the casingsubstantially matches with a vertical direction of a user facing the atleast one face of the casing.
 8. The communication apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein a subset of the plurality of antenna parts are heldnear the partial regions of at least some of faces extending in alongitudinal direction of the at least one face.
 9. The communicationapparatus according to claim 5, wherein a subset of the plurality ofantenna parts are held near the partial region of at least part of theat least one face.
 10. The communication apparatus according to claim 5,wherein a display part in a rectangular shape is provided on the atleast one face, and the at least some of the plurality of antenna partsare held near the partial regions of at least some of faces extendingalong the ends in a longitudinal direction of the display part in theend faces.
 11. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, whereinat least two antenna parts in the plurality of antenna parts are heldnear a plurality of the partial regions the normal directions of whichcross each other or the normal directions of which are mutually twistedin the outer faces at least part of which is curved.